Air operated clock



956 v. A. FLAGIELLO 2,770,941

AIR OPERATED CLOCK Filed May 10, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet l Fig.

Vincent A. F/agie/lo IN VEN TOR.

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1956 v. A. FLAGIELLO 2,770,941

AIR OPERATED CLOCK Filed May 10, 1955 Fig. 2 V 35 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig. 3 82 Vincent A. F/ag/eI/o INVENTOR.

Anna-@5 31. By ym 8M Nov. 20, 1956 v. A. FLAGIELLO 2,770,941

AIR OPERATED CLOCK Filed May 10, 1955 Fig.6

3 Sheets-Sheet 3 7 2 5 2/2 Fig. 7

Fig. /0 I 244 242 /72--- L we 250 Fig.

Vincent A Hagiel/o INVENTOR.

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United States Patent AIR OPERATED CLOCK Vincent A. Flagiello, New Haven, Conn. Application May 10, 1955, Serial No. 507,302 7 Claims. (CI. 58-42) This invention generally relates to an air operated clock, and more specifically provides improved and novel construction of the air operated clock disclosed in my copending application, Serial No. 473,785, filed December 8, 1954.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved air operated clock especially adapted to replace the electric clock in automobiles which will be accurate and is simple in construction, easy to install, well adapted for its intended purposes, relatively inexpensive to manufacture and relatively long lasting and dependable.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide improved and novel means for imparting substantially a constant force upon the clock mechanism for assuring accurate movement thereof.

These together with other objects and .advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure l is a schematic view showing the construction of an air operated clock in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical, sectional view taken substantially upon a longitudinal center line passing through the center ofthe actuating cylinder and piston;

.Figure 3 is a vertical, sectional view taken substantially upon a longitudinal center line passing through the center of a modified form of actuating cylinder and piston;

Figure 4 is a firagmental top view of the air inlet valve control means utilized in the piston and cylinder arrangement of Figure 3 Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially upon a longitudinal center line passing through the center of another modified form of actuating piston and cylinder;

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially upon a longitudinal center line passing through the center of still another form of the actuating cylinder and piston;

Figure 7 is a transverse, vertical sectional View taken substantially upon a plane passing along section 7-7 of Figure 6 showing the interior construction thereof;

Figure 8 is a fragmental plansectional view showing the illustration of the groove utilized in the construction of Figure 6;

Figure 9 is a perspective view showing the details of the polygonal laterally moving piston for controlling inlet and outlet of air from the piston and cylinder actuating mechanism;

Figure 10 is a detailed sectional view of another embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 11 is a top plan view of the construction of Figure 10.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, it will be, seen that the numeral 10 generally designates the air operated clock of the present invention. The clock 10 generally includes a casing 12 having a shaft 14 extending therefrom with a plate 16 rotatably journaled thereon and a ratchet gear 18 secured thereto. A pair of pivotal pawl members 20 are secured to the plate 16 by pivot pins 22 for engagement with the ratchet teeth 24 on the periphery of the ratchet gear 18. Pivotal movement of the plate 16 about the shaft 14 in one direction will rotate the ratchet gear 18 and the shaft 14 as the pawls 20 will engage the teeth 24 on the periphery of the ratchet gear 18. The shaft 14 iactuates the clock mechanism posi tioned in the casing 12, the details of which are not shown as they form no part of the present invention. Extending between one corner of the plate 16 and the housing 12 is a tension coil spring 26 positioned over pins 2-8 and 30 positioned on the casing 12 and plate 16, respectively, wherein the spring 26 will continuously urge the plate 16 in one direction of rotation when it has been tensioned by a sectional piston rod 32 connected to the diagonally opposed corner of the pivot plate 16 from the pin 30.

The piston rod 32 urges the plate 16 about the pivot shaft 14 by an actuating mechanism generally designated by the numeral 34. When the actuating mechanism 34 extends the piston rod 32 outwardly, the pawls 20 will not engage the teeth 24, thereby permitting the plate 16 to pivot about the shaft 14 and elongate the tension spring 26, thereby tensioning the spring '26 wherein the spring 26 will urge the plate 16 in the opposite direction about pivot shaft 14. This movement of the plate 16 will engage the pawls 20 with the teeth 24 on the ratchet gear 18 thereby rotating the shaft 14 for actuating the clock mechanism in the housing or casing 12. The tension of the spring inwardly in the actuating mechanism 34, wherein the actuating mechanism 34 is automatic and will repeat the above cycle of movement at predetermined intervals.

Referring now specifically to Figure 2 of the drawings, it will be seen that the actuating mechanism 34 generally includes a cylinder 36 having a closed end 38 and an open end 40 with an actuating piston 42 slidably mounted therein and integrally formed with a portion of the sectional piston rod 32. The actuating piston 42 is provided with a transverse bore 44 which extends from one side of said piston =42 to a position adjacent the other side thereof, thereby forming a closed transverse bore '44. Extending longitudinally completely through the piston 42 is a small longitudinal bore 46 that communicates with the transverse bore 44 and which is provided with an offset portion '47 which communicates with the atmosphere from the transverse bore 44, thereby forming a continuous passage through the longitudinal length of the piston 42. In spaced relation to the longitudinal bore 46 is !a second longitudinal bore 48 which is in communication with the transverse bore 44. The longitudinal bore 48 is provided with an offset extension portion 49 in communication with an air inlet line 50 connected to the rear end of the actuating piston 42. The inner end of the conduit 50 is provided with a projecting valve actuating member 53 projecting into an enlarged opening 54- having an upper cam surface 56 in a -laterally moving piston 58 slidably mounted in the transverse bore 44. A passageway 60 is provided in the piston 58 which is in communication with the enlarged portion 54 and selectively with the bores 46 and 48 for selectively permitting inlet and exhaust air to be admitted forwardly of the actuating piston 42. A compression coil spring 62 is disposed between the upper end of the piston 58 and the closed end of the transverse bore 44, and a rigid piston rod 64 extends downwardly from the piston 58 for actuation thereof.

The lower end of the piston rod 64 is provided with a T-head 66 for selective riding engagement in an elongated 26 also urges the piston rod 32 slot 68 in the cylinder 36. The slot 68 is provided with an undercut portion 70 in the center thereof together with an entrance slot extending transversely thereof and designated by the numeral 72, at one end thereof, and an exit slot 74 at the other end thereof. An upwardly inclined cam surface 76 extends downwardly from the exit opening 74 to permit movement of the T-head 66 which includes a pair of compressible members compressed by cam surfaces 78 substantially as set forth and described in my copending application.

Referring now specifically to Figure 3, it will be seen that the numeral 88 generally designates a'modified form of the actuating mechanism including a cylinder 82 having a closed end 84 and an open end 86 with a slidable actuating piston 88 mounted therein. An air supply line 90 is connected to a screw threaded fitting 92 extending through the closed end 84 of the cylinder 82 and is connected to a control valve generally designated by the numeral 94. The piston 88 is provided with a transverse closed bore 96 having a control piston 98 mounted therein for sliding movement. The piston 88 is provided with a longitudinal passage 100 and the piston 98 is provided with a longitudinal passage 102 for alignment with the passage 100 for exhausting air from the piston head 88. A compression coil spring 104 is disposed between the upper surface of the piston 98 and the closed end of the transverse bore 96. The piston 98 is provided with a rigid piston rod 106 having a T-head 108 therein. The control valve 94 includes a housing 110 connected to a supply line 112 together with a valve stem 114 extending therethrough and terminating in the entrance slot 116 to th longitudinal groove 118. The groove 118 is provided with an exit slot 120 remote from the entrance slot 116 and an actuating plate 122 is mounted in the bottom thereof with one end engaging the upper end of the valve stem 114. The other end of the plate 122 is provided with a depending pin 124 slidable in a socket 126 wherein the pin 124 is provided with a surrounding spring 128 normally urging the plate 122 upwardly for closing the valve 94. When all of the air has been exhausted from within the cylinder 82, the spring 104 will urge the piston 98 downwardly, thereby compressing the ends of the T-head member 108 so that the bottom of the piston rod 106 will contact the actuating plate 122 thereby opening the valve 94 and admitting air into the cylinder 82 for urging the piston 88 to the right thereby moving the piston 98 to the position illustrated in Figure 3 for permitting air to be slowly exhausted back through the aligned passages 100 and 102.

Referring now specifically to Figure of the drawings, it will be seen that the numeral 130 generally designates another modified form of the actuating mechanism of the present invention including a cylindrical member 132 having a closed end 134 and an open end 136 having a slidable piston 138 mounted therein with a longitudinal bore 140 therein. The piston 138 is provided with a piston rod 142 and a transverse bore 144. A transversely moving control piston 146 is mounted in the bore 144 and includes a rigid piston rod 148 terminating in a T-head 150 with compresssible end members for engagement in the groove 152 which is identical in construction to that illustrated in Figure 2. A compression coil spring 154 is disposed between the upper end of the piston 146 and the closed end of the transverse bore 144. The piston 146 is provided with a bore or passage 156 for selectively communicating with the passage 140 for exhausting air outwardly through the piston 138 to permit the piston 138 to move inwardly towards the closed end 134 of the cylinder 132. Rigidly secured to and movable with the piston 146 is an elongated right angular actuating rod 158 extending through an aperture 160 in the closed end of the transverse passage 144 and extending outwardly through a slot 162 in the cylinder 134. One end of the slot 162 is provided with a cushion 163 for cushioning the movement of and limiting the movement of th actuating piston 138. The free end of the right angular actuating rod 158 is connected to a valve stem 164 for actuating a valve 166 which is provided with an inlet conduit 168 and a discharge conduit 170 which is communicated with the interior of the cylinder 132 by a fitting 172 whereby the valve 166 will admit air pressure into the cylinder 132 when the valve 166 is opened. The valve 166 will be opened when the cylinder 138 moves all the way into the cylinder 132 so that the T-headed end 150 of the piston rod 148 may drop into the entrance slot of the groove 152 thereby permitting the rod 158 to move downwardly thereby moving the valve stem 164 downwardly. It will be understood that the rod 158 having a horizontal portion 174 is slidably engaged with the valve stem 164 for movement thercthrough. It will be noted that the slot 162 is never uncovered by movement of the piston 168 since the rod 158 extending through the slot 162 will govern the scope of movement thereof.

Referring now specifically to Figures 69 of the drawings, it will b seen that the numeral 176 designates yet another modified form of the air operated clock of the present invention including a cylinder 178 having a closed end 180 and an open end 182 with an actuating piston 184 slidably mounted therein. The actuating piston 184 is provided with a first longitudinal passage 186 therein and a second longitudinal passage 188 in spaced relation thereto. The piston 184 is provided with a closed transverse passage 190 of polygonal cross-section and the passage 188 as well as the passage 186 is in communication therewith and the passage 188 does not extend all the way through to the rear of the piston 184. Slidably mounted within the transverse bore 190 is a control piston 192 having a recess 194 in the upper end thereof for seating and positioning a compression coil spring 196. The piston 192 is provided with a transverse bore 198 together with an enlarged recessed area 200 having an inclined cam inner surface 202. The inclined surface 202 engages an actuating stem 204 in a control valve for controlling air inlet into the cylinder 178 and is connected to a supply 1ine206 having adequate pressure for the purposes. The bottom wall of the cylinder 178 is provided with a longitudinally elongated groove 208 terminating at one end in a transverse slot 210. Secured to and underlying the groove 208 and slot 210 is an enclosure 212 having a transverse slot 214 in alignment with the slot 210 and a passageway 216 underlying the groove 208 which terminates in an upwardly inclined cam surface 218. The passage 216 adjacent its connection to the transverse slot 214 is provided on one side thereof with an inwardly extending cam surface 220, while on the other side of the slot 208, it is provided with an enlarged passage 222 for a purpose described hereinafter.

As illustrated in Figure 9, the piston 192 slidably mounted in the transverse bore 190 is'polygonal in crosssectional shape and is provided with a rotatable piston rod 224 terminating in a semicylindrical member 226 having a cross-sectional shape generally conforming to the interior of the cylinder 178. An axial spring 228 surrounds the piston rod 224 and is provided with an inwardly extending portion 230 rigidly secured thereto. The other end of the spring 228 is offset and is provided with an eye portion 232 surrounding and secured to a projection 234 on the bottom of the piston 192 whereby the piston rod 224 will be retained in a predetermined angular orientation.

As the piston 184 moves to the left from the position illustrated in Figure 6, the control piston 192 will move downwardly under the tension of spring 194 when the semicylindrical bottom end 226 of the piston rod 224 is aligned with the slot 210, wherein the piston 192 will move downwardly for engagement of the T-headed portion 226 within the transverse slot 214. The cam surface 202 then engages the valve stem 204 for admitting air through the passage 198 and.188 for urging the piston 184 .to the right or extended position. This action will cause one edge of the semi-cylindrical member 226 to engage the cam surface 220, thereby pivoting the semicylindrical member 226 and the pisto'nrod 224 about itslongitudinal axis so that the semicylindrical member 226 will pass upwardly through the groove 208 when the cylindrical surface thereofengages the upwardly inclined cam surface 218 at the end of the passage 216. As soon as the cam 218 urges the semicylindrical member 226 to the upper edge of the longitudinal groove 208in the cylinder 178, the spring 228 will pivot the piston rod 224 and semicylindrical bottom end 226 thereon to a transverse relationship to the groove 208 thereby retaining the piston 192 in its uppermost position with the springv 196 compressed wherein the cycle of operation will be repeated.

In each instance, the actuating mechanism operates in substantially the same manner wherein the mechanism is automatically controlled by the specific construction of the actuating piston and the control piston wherein air will be automatically admitted into the cylinder on top of the piston head for urging the actuating piston outwardly. By determining the relative size of the various venting passages, the time cycle of operation may be determined and adjusted as desired.

It will be understood that the piston 192 in Figure 9 may be cylindrical in shape since the cam slot 202 engaging the valve stem 200 will prevent rotation thereof for permitting actuation of the semi-cylindrical member 226 in the proper manner.

Referring specifically to Figures 10 and 11 of the drawings, a cylinder 240 is provided with a slot 242 through which control piston rod 244 extends for engagement in housing 246 which is secured to cylinder 240 underlying the slot 242. The housing 246 is provided with a recessed top 248 having a groove 250 therein with enlarged ends 252 to receive the telescopic ends of the transverse end 254 of the piston rod 244, the details of which are shown in my copending application.

The groove 250 is provided with a bottom 256 having a cam surface 257 and converging side walls 258 adjacent one end thereof for permitting free downward movement of the piston rod 244 at said one end thereof, and moving the rod 244 upwardly at the other end of movement of the rod 244 due to the came surface 257 thereby operating the actuating mechanism in the usual manner. This arrangement permits movement of the transverse end 254 Without it contacting and being affected by the curvature of the inner surface of the cylinder 240.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A clock comprising a spring device for driving a clock mechanism, and means for automatically tensioning said spring device at intervals, said means including a fluid pressure actuating piston and cylinder, and control means for controlling the movement of the actuating piston, saidcontrol means including a fluid pressure supply line, said actuating piston having a transverse bore, a spring loaded control piston slidably positioned in said transverse bore, a piston rod on said control piston engaging the inner surface of the cylinder, said cylinder having recessed means for controlling the transverse movement of the piston rod and control piston during longitudinal movement of the actuating piston, and means actuated by transverse movement of the control piston for admitting air into the cylinder for extending said actuating piston.

2. A clock comprising a spring device for driving a clock mechanism, and means for automatically tensioning said spring device at intervals, said means including a fluid pressure actuating piston and cylinder, and control means for controlling the movement of the actuating piston, said control means including.afluidpressuresupply line, said actuating piston having a transverse bore, a spring loaded control piston slidably positioned .in said transverse bore, a piston rod on said control piston engaging the inner surface of the cylinder, said cylinder having recessed means for controlling the transverse movement of the piston rod and control piston during longitudinal movement of .the actuating piston, and means actuated by transverse movement of the control piston for admitting air into the cylinder for extending said actuating piston, said actuating piston and control piston having passages for alignment when the control piston is retracted thereby exhaustingair from the cylinder to permit the actuating piston to be retracted by said spring device.

3. A clock comprising a spring device for drivinga clock mechanism, and means for automatically tensioning said spring device at intervals, said means including a fluid pressure actuating piston and cylinder, and 0011- trol means for controlling the movement of the actuating piston, said control means including a fluid pressure supply line, said actuating piston having a transverse bore, a spring loaded control piston slidably positioned in said transverse bore, a piston rod on said control piston engaging the inner surface of the cylinder, said cylinder having recessed means for controlling the transverse movement of the piston rod and control piston during longitudinal movement of the actuating piston, means actuated by transverse movement of the control piston for admitting air into the cylinder for extending said actuating piston, said actuating piston and control piston having passages for alignment when the control piston i retracted thereby exhausting air from the cylinder to permit the actuating piston to be retracted by said spring device, said fluid pressure supply line being attached to said actuating piston, a valve operating stem extending into said transverse bore, an air inlet passage interconnecting the transverse bore and the piston head, and an inclined cam surface on said control piston for opening the fluid pressure valve when the control piston is extended and the actuating piston retracted thereby aligning said passage in the control piston with the inlet passage in the actuating piston for admitting fluid pressure between the cylinder and the actuating piston for extending the same.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said piston rod is provided with a T-head cooperating with the recessed means in said cylinder for causing transverse movement of the control piston when the actuating piston is extended.

5. The combination of claim 3 wherein said piston rod is rotatably attached to the control piston for movement about a longitudinal axis, and a semicylindrical terminal end on said piston rod for cooperation with said recessed means for causing transverse movement of said control piston.

6. A clock comprising a spring device for driving a clock mechanism, and means for automatically tensioning said spring device at intervals, said means including a fluid pressure actuating piston and cylinder, and control means for controlling the movement of the actuating piston, said control means including a fluid pressure supply line, said actuating piston having a transverse bore, a spring loaded control piston slidably positioned in said transverse bore, a piston rod on said control piston engaging the inner surface of the cylinder, said cylinder having recessed means for controlling the transverse movement of the piston rod and control piston during longitudinal movement of the actuating piston, means actuated by transverse movement of the control piston for admitting air into the cylinder for extending said actuating piston, said actuating piston and control piston having passages for alignment when the control piston is retracted thereby exhausting air from the cylinder to permit the actuating piston to be retracted by said spring device, said fluid pressure supply line being attached to' the closed end of the cylinder, a control valvein the supply line, a valve stem on said valve, said valve stem projecting into said recessed means, said piston rod of said control piston contacting said stem when the control piston is extended thereby admitting fluid pressure into the cylinder .for extending said actuating piston thereby causing said recessed means to force said control piston to a retracted position.

7. A clock comprising a spring device for driving a clock mechanism, and means for automatically tens-ion ing'said spring device at intervals, said means including a fluid pressure actuating piston and cylinder, and control means for controlling the movement of the actuating piston, said control means including a fluid pressure supply line, said. actuating piston having a transverse bore, a spring loaded control piston slidably positioned in said bore, a piston rod on said control piston engaging the inner surface of the cylinder, said cylinder having recessed means for controlling the transverse movement of the piston rod and control piston during longitudinal movement of the actuating piston, means actuated by transverse movement of the control piston for admitting air into the cylinder for extending said actuating piston, said actuating piston and control piston hav- 1 ing passages for align'mentwhe'n the control piston is retracted thereby exhausting air from the cylinder to permit the actuating piston to be retracted by said spring device, said fluid pressure supply line being attached to the closed end of the cylinder, a control valve in the supply line, a valve stem on said valve, said cylinder having an elongated slot therein, an angulated rod attached to the control piston and extending through an aperture in the closed end of the transverse bore and extending outwardly through the slot, means interconnecting said stem and angulated rod for opening said valve when the control piston is extended and the ac-' tuating piston retracted thereby extending the actuating piston and retracting the control piston.

References Cited in the file'of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 20 2,230,148 Standow Jan. 28, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS 630,380 Germany May 27, 1936 

